Over the last three days, close to 25,000 people have been displaced by intense fighting between the South Sudan People’s Liberation Army and the Agwelek forces around the town of Kodok, South Sudan.

The humanitarian organisations that have up until now been providing essential medical services, water, food, non-food items and shelter have had to temporarily suspend activities on the west bank of the Nile because of the increasing insecurity.

"A disaster in the making"

“This is a disaster in the making, just as the demand is greatest,” says Marcus Bachmann, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors without Borders (MSF) country manager in South Sudan. “Hospitals in the area are not operational, and water deliveries are unreliable.

MSF

MSF staff are given grab-bags so that they can provide basic health care while on the run.

"Given the scorching heat and the exposure of population to the elements, soon we will see people suffering from chronic dehydration and diarrhoea as well as diseases like cholera.”

A map of South Sudan.

Surrounded on all sides

Escaping the violence is difficult. Positions are rapidly changing hands between the different forces, and displaced people find themselves surrounded on all sides.

Without protection, many will have little other alternative than to leave for camps in Sudan where they can find refuge.

Those who decide to go, face an arduous journey on foot, lasting many days, with hardly any opportunities to receive food or water.

“We are calling on both parties to ensure that all civilians are protected from the fighting and provided with safe and secure access to essential humanitarian services," says Bachmann.

"As we have been forced to suspend most of our operations, we have provided runaway bags which contain essential medicines and supplies so that our staff who are with the fleeing IDPs, can provide basic treatment in the field.”

With the rainy season approaching, it seems likely that the flow of people leaving for Sudan will increase as they avoid being trapped in the area.